Side rear and dash lights intermitent fault

[JDS]

Hello Folks. Can you point me in the right direction. I have been driving along 3 or 4 times now and switched the headlights on and no panel lights, gear knob lights etc came on yet the headlights were on. After a couple of minutes they came on. Today the panel lights didnt come on at all. Pulled on the drive and found the rear and side lights were out as well as the panel lights but headlights and indicators work. Main beam light will come on the dash. And if I try the hold button this shows up on the dash. Switch of scratched mt head went in and had a cuppa. Out of curiosity I went outside switched the engine on tried everything all was working Fine.
Does anyone Know where I should start
Regards Dave

[kawasaki kid]

Sounds like you may have a loose connection in the block connector on the light stalk - may be worth removing the shroud around the steering wheel and splitting the connector and giving it a clean with some electrical spray cleaner and then working from there.

[JDS]

Thanks K Kid Ill give it a go in the morning.
Dave

[bigdaddycain]

Hi JDS, if you investigate further you will probably discover that your rear foglight wiring is loose, or there is a cross circuit somehere with regards to the rear fog, if you have a "dangly" fitted, these are notorious for leaking, as often the little grommet at the rear of the light housing isn't quite snug fitting, and can take on water, which can cause eventual collapse of the connections due to excess corrosion.

This will knock out the 15 amp fuses for the sidelight/rear foglight circuit, which are located under the bonnet.

Breaks in those type of fuses aren't always immediately apparent, it may be worth breaking out the circuit tester on them.

Check also for any odd stray wires in the rear fog,if a strand or two has broken free of their crimps, it could cause an intermittant shorting of the circuit as you go over bumps.

[JDS]

Took advise from Kawasaki Kid and Big Daddy Cain.
I took the covers from around the steering wheel and gave everything a good clean but nothing apparent showing up. While at it I disconnected the beep by pulling the block apart.
Rear fog is inset in the bumper disassembled checked the wiring put back together and sealed the cable entry point.
True to form the fault hasnt reappeared. Not yet anyway.
I will keep you posted
PS I checked the fuse and this was ok.

Dave

[bigdaddycain]

Hi Dave, sometimes just disconnecting stuff can either make the fault permanent (much better than intermittant, as its then traceable) or magically cures the fault... Hopefully it's the latter...

Is your rear foglight definitely in the "off" position?

[JDS]

Hi BDC
Rear fog is definitely off.
I havent been out today. But last time I checked all was ok. Ill be doing a few miles tomorrow (in daylight) so i'll keep you posted.
PS I enjoyed the pics from Tatton Park. Wished we had come along, we are not that far away in Telford, Know area well used to live in Sale
Dave

[JDS]

Did a few miles today with the lights on, no reoccurance.
So still scatching my head.
Hope thats the end of it. Im not holding my breath.

Dave

[Bob]

Fingers crossed for you, intermittent faults are a bugger.

[bigdaddycain]

Hi BDC
Rear fog is definitely off.
I havent been out today. But last time I checked all was ok. Ill be doing a few miles tomorrow (in daylight) so i'll keep you posted.
PS I enjoyed the pics from Tatton Park. Wished we had come along, we are not that far away in Telford, Know area well used to live in Sale
Dave

Got my fingers crossed for ya with the lights....

The meet was VERY last minute dave, i very nearly didn't make it myself.